Concentrations of cisplatin and doxorubicin in ascites and peritoneal tumor nodules before and after pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in patients with peritoneal metastasis

How to Implement Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy into a National Health System Scenario: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of Costs and Economic Sustainability at a High-Volume Italian Hospital

PIPAC is a new surgical procedure and a viable treatment option for PSM patients, due to promising therapeutic outcomes, minimal invasiveness, limited surgical morbidity, and systemic toxicity side effects. However, its implementation throughout hospitals is hard to obtain due to its fragile economical sustainability. A retrospective health economic analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the cost of hospitalization for patients undergoing PIPAC treatment at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, in Rome. The average cost of a PIPAC procedure was defined based on the cost of surgery (cost of surgical material, operating room, intraperitoneal chemotherapy), hospital stay, diagnostic examinations, and drugs used during the stay. A total of 493 PIPAC procedures were performed on 222 patients with peritoneal metastases or primary peritoneal cancer from 2017 to 2023. Since the mean remuneration for each PIPAC hospitalization is €5916 and the mean expenditure per hospitalization is €6538, this results in an operating profit per PIPAC hospitalization of -€622. The reimbursement of PIPAC treatment by the Italian National Health System currently only partially covers the hospital's costs. Development of specific codes and adequate reimbursement for PIPAC by recognizing this procedure as a proper treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis is essential.

First In Vivo Applicational Data of Foam-Based Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (FBiTC) in a Swine Model

BACKGROUND

For decades, both intraperitoneal and pleural chemotherapy (IPC) have been delivered as a liquid solution. Recent studies suggest that foam carriers outperform liquid carriers for locoregional chemotherapy. For the first time, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and characteristics of foam-based intrathoracic chemotherapy (FBiTC) in an in vivo setting.

METHODS

In this study, contrast-enhanced FBiTC with doxorubicin was delivered via video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) in three swine under general anesthesia. Intraoperative and postoperative parameters, blood analyses, vital signs, and anesthesiologic data were collected. Additionally, an intraoperative computer tomography (CT) scan was performed, and histological tissue sections were collected and further analyzed using fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

FBiTC was delivered without major complications. End-tidal capnometry detected increased CO2 levels with reduced peripheral oxygen saturation and increased blood pressure and heart rate. No major intra- or postoperative complications were observed. CT scans confirmed a multidirectional distribution pattern of foam. Postoperative laboratory workup did not reveal any critical changes in hemoglobin, white blood count, or platelets. There was no evidence of critical kidney impairment or liver function. Fluorescence microscopy of tissue specimen detected doxorubicin in pleural tissues.

DISCUSSION

Our preliminary results are encouraging and indicate that FBiTC is feasible. However, to consider a possible clinical application, further studies are required to investigate the pharmacologic, pharmacodynamic, and physical properties of FBiTC and to ensure the safety of the overall procedure regarding oxygenation levels and capnography parameters.

Descriptive review of current practices and prognostic factors in patients with ovarian cancer treated by pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC): a multicentric, retrospective, cohort of 234 patients

Introduction

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the primary cause of mortality in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. Our study assessed pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) as treatment for peritoneal surface metastases (PSM) from recurrent or progressive OC and conducted survival analyses to identify prognostic factors.

Material and methods

This retrospective cohort study, conducted across 18 international centers, analyzed the clinical practices of patients receiving palliative treatment for PSM from OC who underwent PIPAC. All patients were initially treated appropriately outside any clinical trial setting. Feasibility, safety, and morbidity were evaluated along with objective endpoints of oncological response. Multivariate analysis identified prognostic factors for OS and PFS.

Results

From 2015-2020, 234 consecutive patients were studied, from which 192 patients were included and stratified by platinum sensitivity for analysis. Patients with early recurrence, within one postoperative month, were excluded. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups regarding platinum sensitivity (platinum sensitive (PS) and resistant (PR)), but chemotherapy frequency differed, as did PCI before PIPAC. Median PCI decreased in both groups after three cycles of PIPAC (PS 16 vs. 12, p < 0.001; PR 24 vs. 20, p = 0.009). Overall morbidity was 22%, with few severe complications (4-8%) or mortality (0-3%). Higher pathological response and longer OS (22 vs. 11m, p = 0.012) and PFS (12 vs. 7m, p = 0.033) were observed in the PS group. Multivariate analysis (OS/PFS) identified ascites (HR 4.02, p < 0.001/5.22, p < 0.001), positive cytology at first PIPAC (HR 3.91, p = 0.002/1.96, p = 0.035), and ≥ 3 PIPACs (HR 0.30, p = 0.002/0.48, p = 0.017) as independent prognostic factors of overall survival/progression-free survival.

Conclusions

With low morbidity and mortality rates, PIPAC is a safe option for palliative treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Promising results were observed after 3 PIPAC, which did improve the peritoneal burden. However, further research is needed to evaluate the potential role of PIPAC as an independent prognostic factor.

Primary and metastatic peritoneal surface malignancies

Peritoneal surface malignancies comprise a heterogeneous group of primary tumours, including peritoneal mesothelioma, and peritoneal metastases of other tumours, including ovarian, gastric, colorectal, appendicular or pancreatic cancers. The pathophysiology of peritoneal malignancy is complex and not fully understood. The two main hypotheses are the transformation of mesothelial cells (peritoneal primary tumour) and shedding of cells from a primary tumour with implantation of cells in the peritoneal cavity (peritoneal metastasis). Diagnosis is challenging and often requires modern imaging and interventional techniques, including surgical exploration. In the past decade, new treatments and multimodal strategies helped to improve patient survival and quality of life and the premise that peritoneal malignancies are fatal diseases has been dismissed as management strategies, including complete cytoreductive surgery embedded in perioperative systemic chemotherapy, can provide cure in selected patients. Furthermore, intraperitoneal chemotherapy has become an important part of combination treatments. Improving locoregional treatment delivery to enhance penetration to tumour nodules and reduce systemic uptake is one of the most active research areas. The current main challenges involve not only offering the best treatment option and developing intraperitoneal therapies that are equivalent to current systemic therapies but also defining the optimal treatment sequence according to primary tumour, disease extent and patient preferences. New imaging modalities, less invasive surgery, nanomedicines and targeted therapies are the basis for a new era of intraperitoneal therapy and are beginning to show encouraging outcomes.

Influence of pre-analytical sample preparation on drug concentration measurements in peritoneal tissue: an ex-vivo study

Objectives

Biopsy morphology (surface/depth ratio) and sample processing might affect pharmacological measurements in peritoneal tissue.

Methods

This is an ex-vivo study on inverted bovine urinary bladders (IBUB). We compared cisplatin (CIS) and doxorubicin (DOX) concentration in 81 standardized transmural punch biopsies of different diameters (6 and 12 mm). Then, we assessed the effect of dabbing the peritoneal surface before analysis. After automatized tissue homogenization with ceramic beads followed by lyophilisation, DOX concentration was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), CIS concentration by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Experiments were performed in triplicate; the analysis was blinded to the sample origin. Comparisons were performed using non-parametric tests.

Results

Concentrations are given in mean (CI 5–95%). Results were reproducible between experiments (for CIS p=0.783, for DOX p=0.235) and between different localizations within the IBUB (for CIS p=0.032, for DOX p=0.663). Biopsy diameter had an influence on CIS tissue concentration (6 mm biopsies: 23.2 (20.3–26.1), vs. 12 mm biopsies: 8.1 (7.2–9.2) ng/mg, p<0.001) but not on DOX: (0.46, 0.29–0.62) vs. 0.43 (0.33–0.54) ng/mg respectively, p=0.248). Dabbing the peritoneal surface reduced DOX tissue concentration (dry biopsies: 0.28 (0.12–0.43) vs. wet biopsies: 0.64 (0.35–0.93) ng/mg, p=0.025) but not CIS (23.5 (19.0–28.0) vs. 22.9 (18.9–26.9) ng/mg, respectively, p=0.735).

Conclusions

Measurements of drug concentration in peritoneal tissue can be influenced by the biopsy’s surface/depth ratio and after drying the biopsy’s surface. This influence can reach a factor three, depending on the drug tested. The biopsy technique and the pre-analytical sample preparation should be standardized to ensure reliable pharmacological measurements in peritoneal tissue.

PIPAC for the Treatment of Gynecologic and Gastrointestinal Peritoneal Metastases: Technical and Logistic Considerations of a Phase 1 Trial

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal metastases (PM) from ovarian, gastric, appendiceal, or colorectal origin can be treated via cytoreductive surgery with or without the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for selected patients. Unfortunately, not all patients are candidates for aggressive surgical debulking. For these patients, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) has emerged as an alternative method for intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy administration. This report presents the design and implementation of the first phase 1 trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PIPAC in the United States.

METHODS

This is an ongoing prospective phase 1 clinical trial of PIPAC for patients who have histologically confirmed ovarian, uterine, gastric, appendiceal, or colorectal cancer with PM and have progressed to at least one evidence-based chemotherapeutic regimen. The trial has two clinical arms. The patients in arm 1 have gynecologic and gastric malignancies treated with IP cisplatin and doxorubicin, and the arm 2 patients have colorectal and appendiceal malignancies treated with intravenous fluorouracil and leucovorin followed by IP oxaliplatin. All the patients are monitored for dose-limiting toxicities and adverse events.

RESULTS

Practical and technical considerations for the phase 1 PIPAC trial are presented. These considerations include patient selection, operating room setup, and technical details for successful aerosolized chemotherapy delivery. The phase 1 study results will be reported separately at completion of the trial.

CONCLUSIONS

The PIPAC treatment is a feasible, minimally invasive approach that permits IP delivery of chemotherapy. Once completed, the ongoing phase 1 trial will help to provide safety and initial efficacy data.

Experimental evaluation of icodextrin delivery as pressurized aerosol (PIPAC): Antiadhesive and cytotoxic effects

BACKGROUND

Icodextrin (IDX) is an antiadhesive polymer that can be used as a carrier solution for intraperitoneal (IP) delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs.

METHODS

We investigated the suitability of IDX solution as a carrier of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin for delivery as pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC). We examined the sprayability of IDX, the aerosol characteristics, the stability of the molecule after aerosolization, the effects of IDX on the adhesion of MKN45 human gastric cancer cells, the synergistic effect of aerosolized IDX with Cisplatin and Doxorubicin, and the chemical stability of IDX, Cisplatin, and Doxorubicin in combination.

RESULTS

Delivery of IDX as PIPAC is feasible with no particular restrictions. The median droplet size of 35.7 μm did not change at increasing concentrations. IDX withstood the shear forces applied by the nebulizer and remained stable after aerosolization (ANOVA, p = 0.97). IDX did not impair the cytotoxic effects of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin (ns). IDX had a significant antiadhesive impact alone (p < 0.03) and in combination with Cisplatin and Doxorubicin (p < 0.02). IDX as a carrier for Cisplatin and Doxorubicin remained stable at 4 °C for three months and did not cause degradation of those two substances.

CONCLUSION

The proposed combination takes advantage of the antiadhesive properties of IDX, the cytotoxic effect of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin, and an advanced drug delivery system.

Restricted access to innovative surgical technique related to a specific training, is it ethical? Example of the PIPAC procedure. A systematic review and an experts survey

OBJECTIVE

Using the example of Pressurized Intra Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC), we analyse the development model of this procedure and provide an ethical analysis of the involvement of the industry in a new development.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

In the case of breakthrough innovation, medical training is essential for safe use of the new procedure. In some cases, pharmaceutical companies decide to organise this training. But when it becomes the only training opportunity to use the device, scientists and clinicians could be exposed to a conflict of interest?

METHODS

We performed a literature review of PIPAC publications using the STROBE criteria. Then, we conducted interviews with an expert panel to analyse the ethical impact of involvement of the industry in the development of the PIPAC procedure.

RESULTS

The number of publications has increased every year since the first publication in Germany, where the technology was developed in 2013. The scientific production was of good quality, with a mean STROBE score of 18.2 ± 2.4 out of 22 points. Ten of the 33 included studies declared a conflict of interest. From the interviews, the main axe concerning the implication of the industry was the training model. The company had decided that only trained and approval surgeon could perform the PIPAC procedure. All four interviewed practitioners agreed that it was initially a good way to implement the procedure safely, but later they felt uncomfortable about the control and validation by the industry.

CONCLUSION

Based on the growing number of published papers from a growing number of international centres, the controlled training model is not limiting. However, the different levels of conflict of interest complicate transparency, and we postulated that this development model is limited to the beginning of the procedure diffusion. CLINICALTRIAL.

GOV REGISTRATION

NCT04341337.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy with cisplatin and doxorubicin or oxaliplatin for peritoneal metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Systemic chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) with peritoneal metastases (PM) is affected by several pharmacological shortcomings and low clinical efficacy. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is expected to maximize exposure of peritoneal nodules to antiblastic agents. This study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of PIPAC for PM of PDAC and CC origin.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive PDAC and CC cases with PM treated with PIPAC at two European referral centers for peritoneal disease. We prospectively recorded from August 2016 to May 2019 demographic, clinical, surgical, and oncological data. We performed a feasibility and safety assessment and an efficacy analysis based on clinical and pathological regression.

Results

Twenty patients with PM from PDAC (14) and CC (six) underwent 45 PIPAC administrations. Cisplatin-doxorubicin or oxaliplatin were administered to eight and 12 patients, respectively. We experienced one intraoperative complication (small bowel perforation) and 18 grade 1-2 postoperative adverse events according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. A pathological regression was recorded in 50% of patients (62% in the cisplatin-doxorubicin cohort and 42% in the oxaliplatin one). Median survival from the first PIPAC was 9.7 and 10.9 months for PDAC and CC, respectively.

Conclusion

PIPAC resulted feasible and safe without relevant toxicity issues, with both cisplatin-doxorubicin and oxaliplatin. The pathological response observed supports the evidence of antitumoral activity. Despite the study limitations, these outcomes are encouraging, recommending PIPAC in prospective, controlled trials in the palliative setting or the first line chemotherapy for PM from PDAC and CC.

Comparison between microcatheter and nebulizer for generating Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)

Background

This study compares an endoscopic microcatheter and a nebulizer for delivering Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC).

Methods

This is an in vitro and ex vivo study in an established model (inverted bovine urinary bladder). Four parameters were compared to determine the performance of a micro-perforated endoscopic spray catheter vs. state-of-the art, nozzle technology: (1) surface coverage and pattern with methylene blue on blotting paper at three different distances; (2) median aerodynamic diameter (MAD) of aerosol droplets with three different solutions (H₂O, Glc 5% and silicon oil); (3) depth of tissue penetration of doxorubicin (DOX) and (4) tissue concentration of cisplatin (CIS) and DOX using standard clinical solutions.

Results

The spray area covered by the microcatheter was larger (p < 0.001) but its pattern was inhomogenous than with the nozzle technology. We found that aerosol droplets were larger in the test group than in the control group for all three solutions tested. Median tissue penetration of DOX was lower (980 µm) with the microcatheter than with the nebulizer (1235 µm) and distribution was more heterogeneous ( = 0.003) with the microcatheter. The median tissue concentration of DOX and CIS was lower and concentration of DOX was more heterogeneous with the microcatheter (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This investigation has revealed that microcatheter technology generates larger aerosol droplet size, less drug tissue penetration and lower drug tissue concentration than the current nozzle technology. In the absence of clinical studies, use of microcatheters for delivering PIPAC can not be recommended at this stage.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy: a review of the introduction of a new surgical technology using the IDEAL framework

BACKGROUND

The IDEAL (Idea, Development, Evaluation, Assessment, Long-term study) framework is a scheme of investigation for innovative surgical therapeutic interventions. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a procedure based on laparoscopy to deliver intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases, introduced in 2011. The aim of this article was to review literature on PIPAC and assess whether development of the technique has followed the IDEAL framework.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE and Embase was carried out to identify scientific reports on PIPAC published between January 2000 and February 2019. The studies were categorized according to the IDEAL stages.

RESULTS

Eighty-six original research papers on PIPAC were identified. There were 23 stage 0, 18 stage 1, 25 stage 2a and six stage 2b studies. Protocol papers for stage 1, 2b and 3 studies, and trial registrations for stage 2a studies, were also identified. The number of centres publishing reports and the number of publications has increased each year. Overall, there has been progression through the IDEAL stages; however, about 60 per cent of clinical reports published in 2018 were stage 1 Idea-type studies.

CONCLUSION

Since its introduction, studies investigating PIPAC have progressed in line with the IDEAL framework. However, the majority of studies reported recently were stage 0 and 1 studies.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) of peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancer: a descriptive cohort study

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) represents a novel approach to deliver intraperitoneal chemotherapy. We report our experience with PIPAC in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) from gastric cancer (GC). Data from GC patients (n = 20) included in the prospective PIPAC-OPC1 and PIPAC-OPC2 studies are reported. All patients had received prior systemic chemotherapy. The mean peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 10.5 (range 0-39) and nine patients had diffuse GC. PIPAC with cisplatin 7.5 mg/m² and doxorubicin 1.5 mg/m² were administered at 4-6-week intervals. Outcome criteria were objective tumour response, survival and adverse events. Twenty patients had 52 PIPAC procedures with a median follow-up of 10.4 months (3.3-26.5). Median survival from the time of PM diagnosis and after the first PIPAC procedure was 11.5 months and 4.7 months, respectively. Fourteen patients had repeated PIPAC (> 2), and the objective tumour response according to the histological peritoneal regression grading score (PRGS) was observed in 36%, whereas 36% had stable disease. Ten patients completed the three prescheduled sessions (per protocol group) and 40% of those displayed an objective tumour response, while 20% had stable disease. Only minor postoperative complications were noted, and none were considered causally related to the PIPAC treatment. PIPAC with low-dose cisplatin and doxorubicin can induce a quantifiable objective tumour response in selected patients with PM from GC. Survival data are encouraging and warrant further clinical studies.

A real-time ex vivo model (eIBUB) for optimizing intraperitoneal drug delivery as an alternative to living animal models

BACKGROUND

Optimization of intraperitoneal drug delivery systems requires functional models. We proposed the Inverted Bovine Urinary Bladder Model (IBUB), but IBUB does not allow repeated measurements over time and there is a significant biological variability between organs.

METHODS

A further development of IBUB is presented, based on the physical principle of communicating vessels. Fresh bovine bladders were inverted so that the peritoneum lines up the inner surface. The IBUB and a second vessel were then interconnected under the same CO2 pressure and placed on two scales. The therapeutic solution (Doxorubicin 2.7 mg and Cisplatin 13.5 mg) was delivered via an aerosolizer. All experiments were in triplicate and blinded to the origin of samples, measurements in a GLP-certified laboratory.

RESULTS

The enhanced IBUB (eIBUB) model allows measurements of tissue drug concentration, depth of tissue penetration and spatial distribution. The homogeneous morphology of the peritoneum enables standardized, multiple tissue sampling. eIBUB minimizes biological variability between different bladders and eliminates the bias caused by the liquid collecting at the bottom of the model. Concentration of doxorubicin in the eIBUB (mean ± STDV: 18.5 ± 22.6 ng/mg) were comparable to clinical peritoneal biopsies (19.2 ± 38.6 ng/mg), as was depth of drug penetration (eIBUB: mean (min-max) 433 (381-486) µm, clinical ~ 500 µm).

CONCLUSIONS

The eIBUB model is a simple and powerful ex vivo model for optimizing intraperitoneal drug delivery and represents an attractive alternative to animal models. Results obtained are similar to those obtained in the human patient.

Establishment of a rat ovarian peritoneal metastasis model to study pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC)

BACKGROUND

pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), with or without electrostatic precipitation (ePIPAC), was recently introduced in the treatment of peritoneal metastases (PM) from ovarian cancer (OC). Preliminary clinical data are promising, but several methodological issues as well the anticancer efficacy of PIPAC remain unaddressed. Here, we propose a rat ePIPAC model that allows to study these issues in a clinically relevant, reproducible, and high throughput model.

METHODS

laparoscopy and PIPAC were established in healthy Wistar rats. Aerosol properties were measured using laser diffraction spectrometry based granulometric analyses. Electrostatic precipitation was accomplished using a commercially available generator (Ultravision™). A xenograft model of ovarian PM was created in athymic rats using intraperitoneal (IP) injection of SKOV-3 luciferase positive cells. Tumor growth was monitored weekly by in vivo bioluminescence imaging.

RESULTS

PIPAC and electrostatic precipitation were well tolerated using a capnoperitoneum of 8 mmHg. All rats survived the (e)PIPAC procedure and no gas or aerosol leakage was observed over the entire procedure. With an injection pressure of 20 bar, granulometry showed a mean droplet diameter (D(v,0.5)) of 47 μm with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/s, and a significantly lower diameter (30 μm) when a flow rate of 0.8 mL/s was used. Experiments using IP injection of SKOV-3 luciferase positive cells showed that after IP injection of 20 × 10⁶ cells, miliary PM was observed in all animals. PIPAC was feasible and well supported in these tumor bearing animals.

CONCLUSIONS

we propose a reproducible and efficient rodent model to study PIPAC and ePIPAC in OC xenografts with widespread PM. This model allows to characterize and optimize pharmacokinetic and biophysical parameters, and to evaluate the anti-cancer efficacy of (e)PIPAC treatment.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy and its effect on gastric-cancer-derived peritoneal metastases: an overview

This manuscript aspires to portray a review of the current literature focusing on manifest peritoneal metastasis (PM) derived from gastric cancer and its treatment options. Despite the development of chemotherapy and multimodal treatment options during the last decades, mortality remains high worldwide. After refreshing important epidemiological considerations, the molecular mechanisms currently accepted through which PM occurs are revised. Palliative chemotherapy is the only recommended treatment option for patients with PM of gastric cancer according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, although cytoreductive surgery in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy demonstrated promising results in selected patients with regional PM and localized intraabdominal tumor spread. A novel treatment named pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy may have a promising future in improving overall survival with an acceptable postoperative complication rate and stabilizing quality of life during treatment. Additionally, the procedure has been proved to be safe for the patient and medical personnel and a feasible, repeatable method to deter metastatic proliferation. This overview comprehensively addresses this novel and promising treatment in the context of a scientifically and clinically challenging disease.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis: systematic review of clinical and experimental evidence with special emphasis on ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Systemic chemotherapy is not effective in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and only a minority of affected patients is eligible for cytoreductive surgery. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may provide a therapy alternative for these patients.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of clinical and experimental evidence on the safety and efficacy of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in patients with PC and provide clinical recommendations based on the available evidence.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight reports were identified, categorized as experimental (18 reports), clinical (28 reports), and other articles (14 reports). Experimental studies demonstrated improved tissue penetration and peritoneal coverage. The 28 clinical studies reported on 3515 procedures in 1547 patients with PC of various primary tumors with 16 of these studies reporting on patients with ovarian cancer. Toxicity was manageable. Based on 1197 patients in 22 studies, adverse events CTCAE grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were observed in 537 (45%), 167 (14%), 83 (7%), 10 (0.8%), and 19 (1.6%) cases, respectively. In a pooled analysis, the objective tumor response rate was 69% and the mean overall survival duration was 13.7 months. No significant hepatic, renal, or hematologic toxicity was described. PIPAC maintained and/or improved quality of life, as reported in 10 studies with 396 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence from controlled trials (phase I and phase II) and retrospective cohort studies in > 1500 patients unequivocally demonstrates that PIPAC is feasible, safe, and effective. PIPAC maintains quality of life in patients with recurrent cancer and PC. PIPAC is as evidence-based as any other treatment in women with ovarian cancer and PC beyond the third line of systemic chemotherapy and can be recommended in this indication.